Rich, Sarracenia purpurea is native here and can be found quite a bit north of us where the winters are much longer and considerably harsher. Unfortunately the one I received from John Johns did not survive last winter. While S. purpurea is native to my area the plant that John sent me was grown in North Carolina and likely came from stock that was genetically adapted to warmer conditions. I was very hopeful for it's success because it put on so much growth through the summer. I protected it with a deep layer of leaves through the winter but it wasn't enough for it. The same species adapted to our climate has thrived in the same artificial bog.
I have seen our native pitcher plants growing where they seemed to be floating on a thick mat of plants and roots at the edge of boggy ponds. Before I built my peat bog I kept my one and only pitcher plant growing in a small rock pool filled with peat and gravel at the edge of my pond. Only the roots where in water and it grew well for 2 years in that location.
This is a photo of S. purpurea taken at Hawaiian Botanicals in Richmond, British Columbia. I visited there a couple of years ago. They are growing in a large flower pot outside. My bog in no way resembles this yet. Don't seem to have any pictures of my pitcher plants on this computer.
emm
